Emulsified composition

ABSTRACT

The emulsion composition of the present invention contains
         (A) 0.001 to 10 wt. % of an organic compound having two or more hydroxyl groups, an inorganic value of 220 to 450, and an organic value of 300 to 1,000;   (B) 0.001 to 10 wt. % of an organic compound having one hydroxyl group, an inorganic value of 100 to 200, and an organic value of 280 to 700;   (C) 0.001 to 10 wt. % of a compound represented by formula (2):
 
wherein R 1  is a C4 to C30 hydrocarbon group; Z is a methylene group, a methine group, or an oxygen atom; X 1 , X 2 , X 3  is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acetoxy group; X 4  is a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, or a glyceryl group; each of R 2  and R 3  a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a hydroxymethyl group, or an acetoxymethyl group; R 4  is a C5 to C60 hydrocarbon group; and R 5  is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms in total;
   (D) 0.00012 to 10 wt. % of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyethylene group and an HLB of 10 or higher, an ionic surfactant, and a sphingosine salt;   (E) 0.003 to 15 wt. % of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a sugar alcohol selected from the group consisting of erythritol, threitol, xylitol, and mannitol, a disaccharide, and a trisaccharide; and   (F) water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/382,298, filed Jan. 5, 2012, which is the National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP2010/004414, filed Jul. 6, 2010,which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-159737,filed Jul. 6, 2009 and Japanese Patent Application 2009-159738, filedJul. 6, 2009; of which all of the disclosures are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an emulsion composition which allowswater to remain in the skin for a long period of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

α-Gel has a hydrate-type crystal structure, which is a lamellarstructure. The intercellular lipid present in the horny layer (i.e., theoutermost skin layer) generally has the α-gel structure, and preventsentry of outside substances into the skin as well as transepidermalwater loss. Also, the intercellular lipid itself retains water, wherebythe softness and smooth appearance of the skin can be maintained. In theskin, the horny layer retains water as bound water in an amount of about33%. Studies have revealed that the intercellular lipid retains about13% of the bound water (here, bound water is defined as water restrainedby molecules forming the horny layer) (Non-Patent Document 1).

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that an emulsion compositioncontaining a ceramide and other ingredients forms an α-gel structure, tothereby enhance a moisturizing effect. When the skin surface is coveredwith such an α-gel, as covered with the intercellular lipid, the skin isexpected to retain a sufficient amount of water under dry conditions, tothereby attain long-lasting moistness.

Meanwhile, low-molecular-weight compounds such as glycerin and aminoacid as well as high-molecular-weight compounds such as hyaluronic acidare thought to have a high moisture retention property. However, sincethe water content of an aqueous solution of a single ingredient isgenerally limited to the bound water level, a preparation containingsuch an ingredient attains unsatisfactory water retention. In addition,although the aforementioned α-gel is expected to exhibit satisfactorywater retention, solid fat that constitutes α-gel provides users a heavyfeeling upon use. Thus, when the amount of α-gel is simply increased toenhance water retention, a good feeling upon use is impaired (e.g.,sticky feeling upon use).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Non-Patent Documents

-   Non-Patent Document 1: Genji IMOKAWA, Oil Chemistry, 44, 10, p.    51-66(1995)

Patent Documents

-   Patent Document 1: JP-A-2007-22997

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention is directed to an emulsion composition which canretain bound water and free water (i.e., water retained in theinterlamellar layers but not restrained by a lamellar structureingredient) in the interlamellar layers of an α-gel lamellar structure,allowing water to be retained in the skin for a long period of time, tothereby improve skin conditions.

Means for Solving the Problems

The present inventors have found that, through a combination of an α-geldesigned to have enhanced water retention with a specific sugar alcohol,disaccharide, or trisaccharide, there can be produced an emulsioncomposition which can enhance water retention of α-gel, allowing waterto be retained in the skin for a long period of time, to thereby improveskin conditions.

The present invention provides an emulsion composition containing thefollowing ingredients (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F):

(A) 0.001 to 10 wt. % of an organic compound having two or more hydroxylgroups, an inorganic value of 220 to 450, and an organic value of 300 to1,000;

(B) 0.001 to 10 wt. % of an organic compound having one hydroxyl group,an inorganic value of 100 to 200, and an organic value of 280 to 700;

(C) 0.001 to 10 wt. % of a compound represented by formula (2):

(wherein R¹ represents a C4 to C30 linear, branched, or cyclic,saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by ahydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, or an amino group; Z represents amethylene group, a methine group, or an oxygen atom; each of X¹, X², andX³ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acetoxy group; X⁴represents a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, or a glyceryl group, orforms an oxo group together with the adjacent oxygen atom (wherein whenZ is a methine group, one of X¹ and X² is a hydrogen atom, and the otheris absent, and when X⁴ forms an oxo group, X³ is absent); each of R² andR³ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a hydroxymethyl group,or an acetoxymethyl group; R⁴ represents a C5 to C60 linear, branched,or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, or an amino group andwhich may have an ether bond, an ester bond, or an amide bond in abackbone thereof; R⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, or a linear orbranched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group optionally having asubstituent selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, ahydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group andcontaining 1 to 30 carbon atoms in total; and the broken line representsan optional unsaturated bond);

(D) 0.00012 to 10 wt. % of at least one compound selected from the groupconsisting of a nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyethylene group andan HLB of 10 or higher, an ionic surfactant, and a sphingosine salt;

(E) 0.003 to 15 wt. % of at least one compound selected from the groupconsisting of a sugar alcohol selected from the group consisting oferythritol, threitol, xylitol, and mannitol, a disaccharide, and atrisaccharide; and

(F) water.

Effects of the Invention

The emulsion composition of the present invention contains, as activeingredients, ingredients (A), (B), and (C) and forms a uniform astructure having high steric regularity. Thus, the emulsion compositionhas enhanced water retention and allows water to remain in the skin fora long period of time, whereby the skin conditions can be improved. Whenthe composition is applied to the skin, excellent skin permeability andlong-lasting moistness can be obtained. In addition, the compositionenables formation on the skin surface of a soft coating layer having alamellar-like structure, whereby water can be retained in the interlayerspace, to thereby enhance a skin protection effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A graph employed for measuring remaining water content in theExamples and Comparative Examples.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Ingredient (A)

Ingredient (A) employed in the present invention is an organic compoundhaving two or more hydroxyl groups, an inorganic value of 220 to 450,and an organic value of 300 to 1,000. Preferable examples of ingredient(A) include an organic compound having an inorganic value of 220 to 340and an organic value of 380 to 840, more preferably an organic compoundhaving an inorganic value of 250 to 340 and organic value of 380 to 700,from the viewpoint of formability of a lamellar structure with thebelow-mentioned other ingredients.

In the present invention, the terms “inorganic value” and “organicvalue” refer to those obtained from an organic conceptual diagram (see“Prediction of Organic Compounds by a Conceptual Diagram” described byAtsushi FUJITA, Kagaku-no-Ryouiki, Vol. 11, No. 10 (1957) 719-725).

Examples of ingredient (A) include compounds represented by formula (1):

Z¹Y¹—R)_(n)  (1)

(wherein Z¹ represents a structure which is a glycerin residue, asorbitan residue, a sorbitol residue, or a sucrose residue having two ormore hydroxyl groups; Y¹ represents an ester bond or an ether bond; Rrepresents a C14 to C22 hydrocarbon group; and n is a number of 1 or 2).

In formula (1), the C14 to C22 hydrocarbon group R is preferably alinear hydrocarbon group, such as a linear alkyl group (e.g., myristyl,palmityl, stearyl, or behenyl), a palmitoyl group, or an oleyl group.

Examples of the compound represented by formula (1) include glycerinmonofatty acid ester, sorbitan monofatty acid ester, sorbtian difattyacid ester, sorbitol monofatty acid ester, sorbitol difatty acid ester,sucrose monofatty acid ester, and glycerin monoalkyl ether.

Ingredient (A) is preferably glycerin monofatty acid ester, glycerinmonoalkyl ether, sorbitan monofatty acid ester, or sorbtian difatty acidester. Among them, glyceryl monopalmitate (inorganic value 260, organicvalue 380), glyceryl monostearate (inorganic value 260, organic value420), glyceryl monobehenate (inorganic value 260, organic value 500),monocetyl glyceryl ether (inorganic value 220, organic value 380),monostearyl glyceryl ether (inorganic value 220, organic value 420),sorbitan monostearate (inorganic value 445, organic value 480), andsorbitan distearate (inorganic value 340, organic value 840) arepreferred. Of these, glyceryl monobehenate and monocetyl glyceryl etherare more preferred, for enhancing lamellar film formability and waterretention, as mentioned hereinbelow.

Ingredient (A) employed in the present invention may be one or morespecies. The composition of the invention has an ingredient (A) contentof 0.001 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.05 to 7 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to3 wt. %, in the total composition, since water retention is enhanced.

Ingredient (B)

Ingredient (B) employed in the present invention is an organic compoundhaving one hydroxyl group, an inorganic value of 100 to 200, and anorganic value of 280 to 700. For ingredient (B), more preferred is anorganic compound having an inorganic value of 100 to 182 and an organicvalue of 300 to 520, from the viewpoint of formability of a lamellarstructure with ingredient (A) and the below-mentioned ingredients.

Specific examples of the organic compound include one or more compoundsselected from the group consisting of a C14 to C22 higher alcohol and asterol.

The higher alcohol is a C14 to C22 alcohol, preferably C16 to C18alcohol. Examples of the higher alcohol include myristyl alcohol(inorganic value 100, organic value 280), cetanol (inorganic value 100,organic value 320), stearyl alcohol (inorganic value 100, organic value360), behenyl alcohol (inorganic value 100, organic value 440), andoleyl alcohol (inorganic value 102, organic value 360).

Among them, an alcohol having a linear alkyl group is preferred, withcetanol and stearyl alcohol being more preferred.

Examples of the sterol include cholesterol (inorganic value 182, organicvalue 520) and phytosterol. The term “phytosterol” collectively refersto plant-derived sterols such as β-sitosterol, campesterol,stigmasterol, and brassicasterol, and no particular limitation isimposed on the ingredient composition thereof.

Ingredient (B) employed in the composition may include one or morespecies. The composition contains ingredient (B) in an amount of 0.001to 10 wt. % with respect to the total composition, preferably 0.05 to 7wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to 3 wt. %, for attaining highwater-occluding property.

Ingredient (C)

Ingredient (C) employed in the present invention is a compoundrepresented by formula (2).

In formula (2), R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a C4 to C30 linear,branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group whichmay be substituted by a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, or an aminogroup, and R¹ represents preferably a C7 to C22 linear, branched, orcyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group.

Z represents a methylene group, a methine group, or an oxygen atom.

Each of X¹, X², and X³ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, oran acetoxy group. In a preferred embodiment, all of X¹, X², and X³ arenot a hydroxyl group or one of X¹, X², and X³ is a hydroxyl group, andeach of the remaining groups is a hydrogen atom. When Z is a methinegroup, one of X¹ and X² is a hydrogen atom, and the other is absent. X⁴is preferably a hydrogen atom or a glyceryl group.

Each of R² and R³ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, ahydroxymethyl group, or an acetoxymethyl group. R² is preferably ahydrogen atom or a hydroxymethyl group, and R³ is preferably a hydrogenatom.

R⁴ represents a C5 to C60 linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated orunsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup, a carboxyl group, or an amino group and which may have an etherbond, an ester bond, or an amide bond in a backbone thereof. R⁴ ispreferably, for example, a C5 to C35 linear, branched, or cyclic,saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by ahydroxyl group or an amino group, or a group formed by bonding a C8 toC22 linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated fatty acidoptionally having a hydroxyl group to the ω-position of the abovehydrocarbon group via an ester bond or an amide bond. The fatty acidbonded to the hydrocarbon group is preferably isostearic acid,12-hydroxystearic acid, or linoleic acid.

R⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, or a linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated hydrocarbon group optionally having a substituent selectedfrom the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, analkoxy group, and an acetoxy group and containing 1 to 30 carbon atomsin total. When R¹ is a hydrogen atom and Z is an oxygen atom, R⁵ is ahydrocarbon group containing 10 to 30 carbon atoms in total. When R¹ isa hydrocarbon group, R⁵ is a hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms in total. Among them, preferred are a hydrogen atom and ahydrocarbon group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms in total which groupmay be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the groupconsisting of a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, and an alkoxygroup. The hydroxyalkoxy group and the alkoxy group preferably have 1 to7 carbon atoms.

The compound represented by formula (2) is preferably a ceramiderepresented by the following formula (3) or (4).

(I) The compound represented by formula (3) may be a naturally occurringceramide or a synthetic product having the same structure.

(wherein R¹¹ represents a C7 to C19 linear, branched or cyclic,saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by ahydroxyl group; Z₁ represents a methylene group or a methine group; eachof X⁵, X⁶, and X⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or anacetoxy group; X⁸ represents a hydrogen atom, or forms an oxo grouptogether with the adjacent oxygen atom (wherein when Z₁ is a methinegroup, one of X⁵ and X⁶ is a hydrogen atom, and the other is absent, andwhen X⁸ forms an oxo group, X⁷ is absent); R¹² represents ahydroxymethyl group or an acetoxymethyl group; R¹³ represents a hydrogenatom or a C1 to C4 alkyl group; R¹⁴ represents a C5 to C30 linear,branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which maybe substituted by a hydroxyl group, or such an alkyl group to which a C8to C22 linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid which maybe substituted by a hydroxyl group is bonded at the ω-end via esterbonding; and the broken line represents an optional unsaturated bond).

In a preferred compound, R¹¹ is a C7 to C19 (more preferably C13 to C15)linear alkyl group; R¹⁴ is a C9 to C27 linear alkyl group which may besubstituted by a hydroxyl group, or a C9 to C27 linear alkyl group towhich linoleic acid is bonded via ester bonding. Preferably, X⁸ is ahydrogen atom or forms an oxo group together with an oxygen atom. R¹⁴ ispreferably tricosyl, 1-hydroxypentadecyl, 1-hydroxytricosyl, heptadecyl,1-hydroxyundecyl, or nonacosyl to which linoleic acid is bonded at theω-position via ester bonding.

Specific examples of the natural-type ceramide include sphingosine,dihydrosphingosine, phytosphingosine, and amidated sphingadienine(Ceramide Types 1 to 7) (see, for example, pig-origin and human-originceramides shown in FIG. 2 in J. Lipid Res., 24: 759 (1983) and FIG. 4 inJ. Lipid. Res., 35: 2069 (1994)).

N-alkyl forms of these ceramides are also included (e.g., N-methylform).

Regarding these ceramides, either a natural-type optically active form(D(−) form) or a non-natural-type optically active form (L(+) form) maybe used. Furthermore, a mixture of a natural-type form and anon-natural-type form may also be used. The relative configuration ofthe aforementioned compound may be ones of natural-type, ofnon-natural-type, or of mixed type. Further, preferred are compounds:CERAMIDE 1, CERAMIDE 2, CERAMIDE 3, CERAMIDE 5, CERAMIDE 611, (INCI, 8thEdition), and those represented by the following formulas.

These ceramides may be either compounds extracted from natural ceramidesor synthesized ones thereof. Commercially available ones can also beused.

Examples of such the commercially available natural type ceramidesinclude Ceramide I, Ceramide III, Ceramide IIIA, Ceramide IIIB, CeramideIIIC, and Ceramide VI (COSMOFERM); Ceramide TIC-001 (TakasagoInternational Corporation); CERAMIDE II (Quest International);DS-Ceramide VI, DS-CLA-Phytoceramide, C6-Phytoceramide, and DS-ceramideY3S (DOOSAN); and CERAMIDE 2 (Sederma).

(II): Pseudo-ceramide represented by formula (4):

(wherein R¹⁵ represents a hydrogen atom or a C10 to C22 linear,branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group whichmay be substituted by a hydroxyl group; X⁹ represents a hydrogen atom,an acetyl group, or a glyceryl group; R¹⁶ represents a C5 to C22 linear,branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group whichmay be substituted by a hydroxyl group or an amino group, or such ahydrocarbon group to which a C8 to C22 linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated fatty acid which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group isbonded at the ω-end via ester bonding; and R¹⁷ represents a hydrogenatom or an alkyl group optionally having a substituent selected from thegroup consisting of a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxygroup, and an acetoxy group and containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms intotal).

R¹⁶ is preferably nonyl, tridecyl, pentadecyl, undecyl to which linoleicacid is bonded at the ω-position thereof via ester bonding, pentadecylto which linoleic acid is bonded at the ω-position thereof via esterbonding, pentadecyl to which 12-hydroxystearic acid is bonded at theω-position thereof via ester bonding, or undecyl to whichmethyl-branched isostearic acid is bonded at the ω-position thereof viaamide bonding.

When R¹⁵ is a hydrogen atom, R¹⁷ is an alkyl group optionallysubstituted by a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group,or an acetoxy group and containing 10 to 30 (preferably 12 to 20) carbonatoms in total. When R¹⁵ is a C10 to C22 linear, branched, or cyclic,saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by ahydroxyl group, R¹⁷ is preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl groupoptionally substituted by a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, analkoxy group, or an acetoxy group and containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms intotal. The hydroxyalkoxy or alkoxy group in R¹⁷ preferably contains 1 to7 carbon atoms.

Preferred pseudo-ceramides represented by formula (4) are the case whereR¹⁵ is hexadecyl, X⁹ is a hydrogen atom, R¹⁶ is pentadecyl, and R¹⁷ ishydroxyethyl; the case where R¹⁵ is hexadecyl, X⁹ is a hydrogen atom,R¹⁶ is nonyl, and R¹⁷ is hydroxyethyl; and the case where R¹⁵ ishexadecyl, X⁹ is glyceryl, R¹⁶ is tridecyl, and R¹⁷ is 3-methoxypropyl.More preferred pseudo-ceramide represented by formula (4) is the casewhere R¹⁵ is hexadecyl, X⁹ is a hydrogen atom, R¹⁶ is pentadecyl, andR¹⁷ is hydroxyethyl (i.e.,N-(hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide).

One or more compounds serving as ingredient (C) may be used. The totalcontent of ingredient (C) is 0.001 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.05 to 7 wt.%, more preferably 0.1 to 5 wt. %, in the total composition, forattaining sufficient skin permeation of ingredient (C).

In the present invention, the weight ratio of ingredients (A), (B), and(C) preferably have the following relationship: ((A)+(B))/((A)+(B)+(C))(by weight) of 0.15 or more, more preferably 0.35 to 0.8, from theviewpoint of enhancing storage stability of α-gel.

The weight ratio of ingredients (A) and (B) preferably have thefollowing relationship: (A)/((A)+(B)) (by weight) of 0.1 or more, morepreferably 0.25 to 0.75, since stable α-gel structure is formed, tothereby enhance water retention.

Ingredient (D)

The ingredient (D) employed in the present invention is at least onecompound selected from the group consisting of a nonionic surfactanthaving a polyoxyethylene group and an HLB of 10 or more, an ionicsurfactant, and a sphingosine salt.

Among the compounds serving as ingredient (D), the nonionic surfactantis a hydrophilic compound having a polyoxyethylene group and an HLB of10 or more, preferably an HLB of 12.5 to 15.5. Examples of the non-ioniccompound include polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil,polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, alkylpolyoxyethyleneglyceryl, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether.

Of these, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil and polyoxyethylenesorbitan monostearate are preferred.

Among the compounds serving as ingredient (D), the ionic surfactant isan anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, or an ampholyticsurfactant.

Examples of the anionic surfactant include C12 to C24 fatty acid saltssuch as sodium laurate, potassium palmitate, and arginine stearate;alkyl sulfate ester salts such as sodium lauryl sulfate and potassiumlauryl sulfate; alkyl ether sulfate ester salts such as polyoxyethylenelauryl sulfate triethanolamine salt; N-acylsarcosine salts such aslauroyl sarcosine sodium salt; fatty acid amide sulfonate salts such assodium methyl stearoyl taurate(N-stearoyl-N-methyltaurine sodium salt)and sodium methyl myristoyl taurate(N-myristoyl-N-methyltaurine sodiumsalt); alkyl phosphate salts such as sodium monostearyl phosphate;polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salts such as sodiumpolyoxyethylene oleyl ether phosphate and sodium polyoxyethylene stearylether phosphate; long-chain sulfosuccinate salts such as sodiumdi-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate; and long-chain N-acylglutamate salts suchas monosodium N-lauroylglutamate, sodium N-stearoyl-L-glutamate,arginine N-stearoyl-L-glutamate, sodium N-stearoylglutamate, and sodiumN-myristoyl-L-glutamate.

Among them, C12 to C24 fatty acid salts, fatty acid amidesulfonatesalts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salts, and long-chainN-acylglutamate salts are preferred, with sodium methyl stearoyltaurate(N-stearoyl-N-methyltaurine sodium salt), arginineN-stearoyl-L-glutamate, and sodium polyoxyethylene stearyl etherphosphate being more preferred.

The cationic surfactant is preferably a quaternary ammonium salt.Examples include alkyltrimethylammonium salts such as stearyltrimethylammonium chloride and lauryl trimethylammonium chloride;dialkyldimethylammonium salts; trialkylmethylammonium salts; andalkylamine salts.

Examples of the ampholytic surfactant include alkyldimethylamine oxide,alkylcarboxybetaine, alkylsulfobetaine, amideamino acid salts, andalkylamidepropylbetaine. Of these, alkylamidepropylbetaine is preferred.

Among the compounds serving as ingredient (D) employed in the presentinvention, the sphingosine salt is formed of a sphingosine and an acidicsubstance. Examples of the sphingosine include those represented byformula (5):

(wherein R²¹ represents a C4 to C30 linear, branched, or cyclic,saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by ahydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, or an amino group; Y represents amethylene group, a methine group, or an oxygen atom; each of X¹¹, X¹²,and X¹³ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acetoxygroup; X¹⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, or a glycerylgroup, or forms an oxo group together with the adjacent oxygen atom(wherein when Y is a methine group, one of X¹¹ and X¹² is a hydrogenatom, and the other is absent, and when X¹⁴ forms an oxo group, X¹³ isabsent); each of R²² and R²³ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxylgroup, a hydroxymethyl group, or an acetoxymethyl group; each of the “a”groups of R₁s represents a hydrogen atom, an amidino group, or a linearor branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group optionallyhaving a substituent selected from the group consisting of a hydroxylgroup, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group andcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms in total; a is a number of 2 or 3; andthe broken line represents an optional unsaturated bond).

In formula (5), R²¹ is C4 to C30 linear, branched, or cyclic, saturatedor unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup, a carbonyl group, or an amino group, and R²¹ representspreferably a C7 to C22 linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated orunsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by a hydroxylgroup. Also preferred are a C10 to C20 linear or branched alkyl groupand a C10 to C20 linear or branched alkyl group having a hydroxyl groupon the carbon atom bonding to Y in formula (5), wherein when the alkylis of a branched type, the branched alkyl is preferably, for example, amethyl branching fashion alkyl. Specific examples of preferred alkylgroups include tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl,1-hydroxytridecyl, 1-hydroxypentadecyl, isohexadecyl, and isostearyl.

Y represents a methylene group (CH₂), a methine group (CH), or an oxygenatom.

Each of X¹¹, X¹², and X^(u) is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or anacetoxy group. X¹⁴ is a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, or a glycerylgroup, or a substituent which forms an oxo group together with theadjacent oxygen atom. In a preferred embodiment, all of X¹¹, X¹², andX¹³ are not a hydroxyl group, or one of X¹¹, X¹², and X¹³ is a hydroxylgroup, and the remaining groups are a hydrogen atom, and X¹⁴ is ahydrogen atom. When Y is a methine group, one of X¹¹ and X¹² is ahydrogen atom, and the other is absent. When X¹⁴ forms an oxo group, X¹³is absent.

Each of R²² and R²³ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, ahydroxymethyl group, or an acetoxymethyl group. R²³ is preferably ahydrogen atom.

The symbol “a” is a number of 2 or 3. When a is 2, R₁ correspond to R²⁴and R²⁵, and when a is 3, R₁ correspond to R²⁴, R²⁵, and R²⁶.

Each of R²⁴, R²⁵, and R²⁶ represents a hydrogen atom, an amidino group,or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groupoptionally having a substituent selected from the group consisting of ahydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxygroup and containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms in total. The hydroxyalkoxygroup which can serve as a substituent of the hydrocarbon group ispreferably a C1 to C7 linear or branched hydroxyalkoxy group. The alkoxygroup is preferably a C1 to C7 linear or branched alkoxy group. Examplesof R²⁴, R²⁵, and R²⁶ include hydrocarbon groups each having 1 to 8carbon atoms in total and being substituted by 1 to 6 substituents.Examples of the substituents include a hydrogen atom; linear or branchedalkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, 2-ethylhexyl, and isopropyl;alkenyl groups such as vinyl and allyl; an amidino group; hydroxylgroups such as hydroxymethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl,1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl,2-hydroxy-3-methoxypropyl, 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl,1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl, 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl, 2-methoxyethyl,1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 3-methoxypropyl, and1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl; hydroxyalkoxy groups, and alkoxygroups.

Among them, more preferred are a hydrogen atom and alkyl groups eachbeing substituted by 1 to 3 groups selected from the group consisting ofmethyl, hydroxyl groups such as 2-hydroxyethyl,1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl, 1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl, and2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl, and hydroxyalkoxy groups.

The sphingosine represented by formula (5) is preferably a naturallyoccurring sphingosine represented by formula (6), a synthetic producthaving the same structure, or a derivative of any of these (hereinafterreferred to as natural-type sphingosine); or a pseudo-sphingosinerepresented by formula (7) having a sphingosine structure (hereinafterreferred to as pseudo-sphingosine).

(I) Natural-type sphingosine represented by formula (6):

(wherein R²⁷ represents a C7 to C19 linear, branched, or cyclic,saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by ahydroxyl group; Y₁ represents a methylene group or a methine group; eachof X¹⁵, X¹⁶, and X¹⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or anacetoxy group; X¹⁸ represents a hydrogen atom or forms an oxo grouptogether with the adjacent oxygen atom (wherein when Y₁ is a methinegroup, one of X¹⁵ and X¹⁶ is a hydrogen atom, and the other is absent,and when X¹⁸ forms an oxo group, X¹⁷ is absent); R²⁸ represents ahydroxymethyl group or an acetoxymethyl group; each of the “a” groups ofR₂s represents a hydrogen atom, an amidino group, or a linear orbranched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group optionally having asubstituent selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, ahydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group andcontaining 1 to 4 carbon atoms in total; a is a number of 2 or 3; andthe broken line represents an optional unsaturated bond).

R²⁷ is preferably a C7 to C19 linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated orunsaturated hydrocarbon group, more preferably a C13 to C15 linear,saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group. The number “a” is preferably2. Each of R₂s is preferably a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C4 linear orbranched alkyl group.

Specific examples of the natural-type sphingosine represented by formula(6) include sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, phytosphingosine,sphingadienine, dehydrosphingosine, and dehydrophytosphingosine, andN-alkyl derivatives thereof (e.g., N-methyl derivatives).

Regarding these sphingosines, either a natural-type optically activeform (D(+) form) or a non-natural-type optically active form (L(−) form)may be used. Furthermore, a mixture of a natural-type form and anon-natural-type form may also be used. The relative configuration ofthe aforementioned compound may be ones of natural-type, ofnon-natural-type, or of mixed type.

Examples of preferred sphingosines further include phytosphingosine(INCI name; 8th Edition) and the compounds represented by the followingformulas.

These compounds may be a natural extract or a synthetic compound, and acommercial product thereof may be used.

Examples of the commercial product of natural-type sphingosine includeD-sphingosine (4-sphingenine) (product of SIGMA-ALDRICH),DS-phytosphingosine (product of DOOSAN), and phytosphingosine (productof COSMOFERM).

(II) Pseudo-sphingosine represented by formula (7)

(wherein R²⁹ represents a C10 to C22 linear, branched, or cyclic,saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by ahydroxyl group; X¹⁹ represents a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, or aglyceryl group; each of the “a” groups of R₃s represents a hydrogenatom, an amidino group, or a linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated hydrocarbon group optionally having a substituent selectedfrom the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, analkoxy group, and an acetoxy group and containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms intotal, and a is a number of 2 or 3).

In formula (7), R²⁹ is preferably a C14 to C20 iso-type branched alkylgroup, more preferably an isostearyl group. The isostearyl group ispreferably an isostearyl group derived from a raw material oil; i.e.,isostearyl alcohol which is a by-product obtained in production ofdimeric acid from a fatty acid originating from animal or vegetable oil.

When a is 2, R₃ represents R³⁰ and R³¹, whereas when a is 3, R₃represents R³⁰, R³¹, and R³².

Examples of the groups R³⁰, R³¹, and R³² include a hydrogen atom; linearor branched alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, 2-ethylhexyl,and isopropyl; alkenyl groups such as vinyl and allyl; an amidino group;and alkyl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms in total and a substituentselected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups such ashydroxymethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl,2-hydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxypropyl,2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl, 1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl,2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl,3-hydroxypropyl, 3-methoxypropyl, and1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl, hydroxyalkoxy groups, and alkoxygroups.

Among them, preferred is a secondary amine in which one of R³⁰ and R³¹is a hydrogen atom, and the other is 2-hydroxyethyl,1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl, 1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl, or2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl.

The pseudo-sphingosine is preferably one in which R²⁹ is an isostearylgroup, X¹⁹ is a hydrogen atom, R³⁰ is a hydrogen atom, and R³¹ is analkyl group which is substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected fromthe group consisting of hydroxyl groups such as 2-hydroxyethyl,1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl, and2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl and hydroxyalkoxy groups.

Specific examples of the pseudo-sphingosine include the followingpseudo-sphingosines (i) to (iv).

The sphingosine is preferably sphingosine, phytosphingosine, orpseudo-sphingosine, more preferably pseud-sphingosine (ii) or1-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-3-isostearyloxy-2-propanol.

Examples of the acidic substance which forms salts with theaforementioned sphingosines, phytosphingosines, and pseudo-sphingosinesinclude acidic amino acids such as glutamic acid and aspartic acid;inorganic acids such as phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid;monocarboxylic acids such as acetic acid; dicarboxylic acids such assuccinic acid; and hydroxycarboxylic acids such as citric acid, lacticacid, and malic acid. Among the aforementioned salts, salts ofsphingosines, phytosphingosines, and pseudo-sphingosines(pseudo-sphingosine (ii),1-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-3-isostearyloxy-2-propanol) with succinic acid,lactic acid, and glutamic acid are preferred, with glutamic acid saltsof sphingosines, phytosphingosines, and pseudo-sphingosines being morepreferred.

As ingredient (D), an anionic surfactant or a sphingosine salt ispreferably used, since repulsion between electric charges results inretention of a large amount of water in interlayer spaces of thelamellar structure, leading to high water retention. Among the anionicsurfactant and the sphingosine salt, preferred are sodium methylstearoyl taurate (N-stearoyl-N-methyltaurine sodium salt), sodiumpolyoxyethylene stearyl ether phosphate, arginineN-stearoyl-L-glutamate, phytosphingosine glutamic acid salt, andpseudo-sphingosine glutamic acid salt, since these compounds form astable emulsion in a small amount of addition thereof.

One or more species of ingredient (D) may be used. The content ofingredient (D) is 0.00012 to 10 wt. %. Preferably, the content ofingredient (D) is 0.01 to 7 wt. %, more preferably 0.2 to 3 wt. %, inthe total composition, since the interlayer spacing of the lamellarstructure formed from ingredients (A), (B), and (C) can be increased, tothereby form such a structure that a large amount of water can beretained in interlayer spaces.

Ingredient (E)

The sugar alcohol serving as ingredient (E) of the present invention isselected from the group consisting of erythritol, threitol, xylitol, andmannitol. Of these, xylitol is preferred.

Examples of disaccharide and trisaccharide include trehalose,galactosylfructose, sucralose, melibiose, raffinose, and lactose. Ofthese, trehalose and raffinose are preferred, with trehalose being morepreferred.

One or more species of ingredient (E) may be used. That is, sugaralcohol, disaccharide, and/or trisaccharide may be used in combination.

The content of ingredient (E) is 0.003 to 15 wt. %, in the totalcomposition, from the viewpoint of attaining satisfactorily high waterretention.

In the case of sugar alcohol, the content of sugar alcohol is preferably0.003 to 10 wt. %, more preferably 0.01 to 5 wt. %, even more preferably0.1 to 3 wt. %, in the total composition.

In the case of disaccharide or trisaccharide, the content ofdisaccharide or trisaccharide is preferably 0.018 to 15 wt. %, morepreferably 0.1 to 10 wt. %, even more preferably 0.5 to 7 wt. %, in thetotal composition.

In the present invention, a preferable relationship of the weight ratioof ingredients (A), (B), (C) and (E) is (E)/((A)+(B)+(C)) (by weight)being preferably 0.01 to 5, since water (bound water and free water) canbe firmly retained in interlayer spaces of the structure formed fromingredients (A), (B), (C), and (D), thereby remarkably enhancing waterretention.

In the case where ingredient (E) is sugar alcohol, (E)/((A)+(B)+(C)) ispreferably 0.01 to 3, more preferably 0.125 to 2.5. In the case ofdisaccharide or trisaccharide, (E)/((A)+(B)+(C)) is preferably 0.2 ormore, more preferably 0.6 to 5.

Incorporation of ingredient (E) into the composition of the invention ispreferred, since the lamellar structure formed from ingredients (A),(B), and (C) is stabilized, and the composition forms, on the driedskin, a soft coating layer having the same lamellar structure as theintercellular lamellar structure, whereby the skin water retention canbe enhanced, to thereby provide users with long-lasting moistness.

(D)/((A)+(B)+(C)) is preferably 0.04 to 1, more preferably 0.04 to 0.5,since ingredient (C) permeability can be enhanced, whereby amoisturizing effect can be attained at the skin surface and the insideof the skin.

In the present invention, the composition preferably has an ingredient(F) (i.e., water) content of 20 to 99.9 wt. %, more preferably 40 to 95wt. %, even more preferably 50 to 90 wt. %.

The composition of the present invention may further contain otheraqueous base materials, for example, a C1 to C4 lower alcohol such asethanol or propanol.

In the present invention, more preferably, the aforementioned preferredingredients are employed in combination in the aforementioned preferredamounts.

In more preferred embodiment, the composition contains glycerylmonobehenate or monocetyl glyceryl ether as ingredient (A), cetanol asingredient (B), a compound represented by formula (2) as ingredient (C),stearoylglutamic acid salt or sphingosine salt as ingredient (D),xylitol as ingredient (E), and water as ingredient (F).

The emulsion composition of the present invention may further contain anoily ingredient. Examples of the oily ingredient include hydrocarbonoils such as liquid paraffin, squalane, and petrolatum; ether oils suchas cetyl dimethylbutyl ether, ethylene glycol dioctyl ether, andglycerol monooleyl ether; ester oils such as octyl dodeyl myristate,isopropyl palmitate, butyl stearate, di-2-ethylhexyl adipate, neopentylglycol dicaprate, and trioctanoin; higher fatty acids such as stearicacid, behenic acid, and isomyristic acid; vegetable oil such as oliveoil; silicone oils such as dimethylpolysiloxane, cyclicdimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane, amino-modified silicone,carboxy-modified silicone, alcohol-modified silicone, alkyl-modifiedsilicone, polyether-modified silicone, and fluorine-modified silicone;and fluorine-containing oils such as perfluoroalkylethylphosphoric acid,perfluoroalkylpolyoxyethylenephosphoric acid, perfluoropolyether, andpolytetrafluoroethylene. The composition of the invention preferably hasan oily ingredient content of 0 to 20 wt. % in the total composition.

The emulsion composition of the present invention may further containactive ingredients or additives which are employed in typical cosmetics.Examples of such ingredients and additives include water-solublevitamins such as ascorbic acid, nicotinamide, and nicotinic acid; animaland vegetable extracts such as Phellodendoron Amurense extract, licoriceextract, aloe extract, horsetail extract, tea extract, cucumber extract,clove extract, ginseng extract, witch hazel extract, placenta extract,seaweed extract, horse chestnut extract, Japanese citron (Yuzu) extract,thujopsis dolabrata extract, royal jelly extract, eucalyptus extract,and thujopsis dolabrata extract solution; bases such as potassiumhydroxide, sodium hydroxide, triethanolamine, and sodium carbonate;acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid,succinic acid, and adipic acid; and thickening agents such ascarboxyvinyl polymer, sodium arginate, carrageenan,carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, guar gum, xanthan gum,carboxymethylchitosan, sodium hyaluronate, oxazoline-modified silicone,N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate diethylsulfatesalt-N,N-dimethylacrylamide-polyethylene glycol dimethacrylatecopolymer.

The emulsion composition of the present invention may be producedthrough any of production methods (1) to (3):

Production method (1): emulsification through mixing ingredients (A) to(D) (in the case of the composition containing an oily ingredient, amixture of ingredients (A) to (D) and the oily ingredient) with anaqueous phase including ingredients (E) and (F);

Production method (2): emulsification through mixing ingredients (A) to(E) (in the case of the composition containing an oily ingredient, amixture of ingredients (A) to (E) and the oily ingredient) with anaqueous phase including ingredient (F); and

Production method (3): emulsification through mixing a mixture ofingredients (A) to (D) (in the case of the composition containing anoily ingredient, a mixture of ingredients (A) to (D) and the oilyingredient) and a portion of ingredient (E) with an aqueous phaseincluding the remaining ingredient (E) and ingredient (F).

Production method (2) is more preferred as compared with productionmethod (1), since the emulsion composition produced through productionmethod (2) has higher water retention.

The thus-produced emulsion composition assumes α-gel (α-type crystal),with deposition of γ-type crystals being prevented. α-Gel can beidentified through X-ray structure analysis. α-Type structure is ahexagonal crystal structure type, in which a lipophilic group isarranged normal to the hydrophilic group layer, with one characteristicdiffraction peak at a Bragg angle of 21 to 23°.

Also, the emulsion composition of the present invention is an O/W-typeemulsion composition and is suited for producing, for example, cosmeticssuch as skin lotion, milky lotion, cream, and gel, or an agent for skinexternal use.

EXAMPLES Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 1 to 8

O/W emulsion compositions having formulations shown in Tables 1 and 2were produced. The thus-produced compositions were subjected to X-raystructural analysis and remaining water content measurement. Also, thefilm formability of each composition was assessed. The results are alsoshown in Tables 1 and 2.

Through observation under a transmission electron microscope, thecoating films produced in the Examples were found to have a lamellarstructure.

Production Method Production Method (1)

Phase I ingredients (mixture containing ingredients (A) to (D)) wereheated and mixed at 80 to 95° C. Under propeller-stirring (300 rpm),phase II ingredients (mixture containing ingredients (E) and (F)), whichhad been heated to 80 to 95° C., were added to the phase I ingredients,to thereby form an emulsion. The emulsion was gradually cooled to 25°C., to thereby yield an O/W emulsion composition.

Evaluation Method (1) X-Ray Structure Analysis

The crystal structure of each of the thus-prepared O/W emulsioncompositions was determined from wide angle X-ray diffraction peaks(2θ=10 to 30°) according to Wilson's & Ott's method (Wilson, D. A. andOtt, E., J. Chem. Phys., 2, 231-238(1934)).

(2) Remaining Water Content Measurement:

Each O/W emulsion composition (2 g) was spread on a metal tray (6×6 cm),to thereby form a layer having a uniform thickness. Under constanttemperature and humidity conditions (25° C., 40%), the weight of thelayer was monitored. The measurements were plotted to time. As shown inFIG. 1, the drawn curve was bent at two points. When a lamellar film isformed, the subsequent change in weight will be minimized. The weightvalue at the crossing between lines 1 and 2 in FIG. 1 was employed asthe remaining water content. The water content of the solid of eachcomposition (preparation) was calculated by the following equation (thesolid containing ingredients (A) to (E)):

Water content(%)=(remaining water content/(solid content+remaining watercontent))×100

(3) Film Formability:

Each agent (5 g) was placed in a Petri dish (diameter: 5 cm) made ofTeflon (registered trademark), and uniformly spread. The agent was driedfor two days, and the state of the film was observed.

A: Formation of soft coating filmB: Formation of hard and fragile coating filmC: Formation of coating film failed

TABLE 1 Ex. Comp. Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Phase I D1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2isostearyloxy-2-propanol C Pseudo-ceramide* 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 B Cetanol 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 A Monocetyl glyceryl ether 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Phase II FWater bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. L-Glutamic acid 0.12 0.120.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 E Erythritol 1 Threitol 1 Xylitol 1Mannitol 1 Sorbitol 1 Glycerin 1 Glucose 1 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100100 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4(A)/((A) + (B)) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C))0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 — — — — X-ray structure analysis α-type α-type α-typeα-type α-type α-type α-type α-type Remaining water content (%) 67.0 66.870.0 66.0 65.2 61.9 59.5 62.3 Film formability A A A A B B B B*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

TABLE 2 Ex. Comp. Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 6 7 8 Phase I D1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)- 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.23-isostearyloxy-2-propanol C Pseudo-ceramide* 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 BCetanol 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 A Monocetyl glyceryl ether 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 Phase F Water bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. IIL-Glutamic acid 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 ETrehalose 5 Raffinose 5 Lactose 5 Galactosylfructose 5 Sucralose 5Melibiose 5 Glycerin 5 Glucose 5 Trimethylglycine 5 Total 100 100 100100 100 100 100 100 100 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.4 0.4 0.40.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.50.5 0.5 0.5 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 — — — — X-raystructure analysis α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-typeα-type α-type α-type Remaining water content (%) 72.15 71.21 71.21 70.7270.28 71.44 65.20 53.18 61.50 59.41 Film formability A A A A A A B B B C*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Example 11 and Comparative Examples 9 to 11

In a manner similar to that employed in Examples 1 to 10, O/W emulsioncompositions having formulations shown in Table 3 were produced. Thesmall angle X-ray scattering intensity of each composition wasmonitored. The intensity was compared with that of the composition ofComparative Example 9. Table 3 shows the results.

TABLE 3 Ex. Comp. Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 11 9 10 11 Phase D 1-(2- 0.40.4 0.4 0.4 I Hydroxyethylamino)-3- isostearyloxy-2-propanol CPseudo-ceramide* 6 6 6 6 B Cetanol 2 2 2 2 A Monocetyl glyceryl 2 2 2 2ether Phase F Water bal. bal. bal. bal. II L-Glutamic acid 0.24 0.240.24 0.24 E Xylitol 3 Trimethylglycine 3 Glycerin 3 Total 100 100 100100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.50.5 0.5 0.5 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.3 — — — Small angle X-ray scatteringintensity increase no no change change*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

As is clear from Table 3, the composition of Example 11 exhibited anincrease in small angle X-ray scattering intensity, indicating that thelamellar structure has high order.

Examples 12 to 17 and Comparative Examples 12 to 21

In a manner similar to that employed in Examples 1 to 10, O/W emulsioncompositions having formulations shown in Table 4 were produced. Thethus-produced compositions were subjected to X-ray structural analysisand evaluated in terms of remaining water content and film formability.The skin permeability of each composition and lasting of moist skinattained by the composition were assessed. The results are also shown inTable 4.

Evaluation Methods Feeling Upon Use of the Composition (SkinPermeability/Lasting of Moist Skin)

The emulsion compositions were tested by 10 expert panelists.Specifically, each emulsion composition (0.5 to 0.6 g) was applied tothe face of each panelist. The “skin permeation sensation” immediatelyafter application of the composition and “lasting of moist skin” 10hours after application thereof were sensorily evaluated by thepanelists. The evaluation was scores represented by the number ofpanelists who gave a rating of “satisfactory.”

TABLE 4 Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 12 13 14 15 16 17 Phase I D1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.2 0.2 isostearyloxy-2-propanol DStearoylglutamic acid 0.5 0.5 D Sodium methyl stearoyl taurate 0.5 DPolyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan 2 monostearate (HLB 14.9) Hydrogenatedlecithin 1 C Pseudo-ceramide* 2 2.5 3 1 1 1 Stearic acid B Cetanol 1 1 11.5 1 3 B Cholesterol A Glyceryl monostearate A Glyceryl monobehenate1.5 1 A Monostearyl glyceryl ether 2.5 3 A Monocetyl glyceryl ether 2 ASorbitan monostearate 1 A Sorbitan distearate 0.5 Phase II F Water bal.bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. L-Arginine 0.35 L-Glutamic acid 0.12 0.12 EXylitol 1 1 1 1 1 1 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) +(B) + (C)) 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.8 0.8 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.67 0.6 0.5 0.630.75 0.3 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 X-ray structureanalysis α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type Remaining watercontent (%) 64.6 63.3 61.5 59.9 57.7 60.2 Film formability A A A A A APermeation sensation 10 10 9 9 8 8 Lasting of moist skin 10 9 9 8 7 8Comp Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Phase I D1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)- 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 3-isostearyloxy-2-propanol DStearoylglutamic acid 0.5 D Sodium methyl stearoyl 0.5 0.3 taurate DPolyoxyethylene(20) 2 2.3 sorbitan monostearate (HLB 14.9) Hydrogenatedlecithin 1 1.5 C Pseudo-ceramide* 2 2.5 3 1 1 3 Stearic acid 3 B Cetanol1 1 1 1.5 1 2.5 2 1.8 2 B Cholesterol 2.5 1 A Glyceryl monostearate 3.2A Glyceryl monobehenate 1.5 A Monostearyl glyceryl ether 2.5 3 4 AMonocetyl glyceryl ether 2 A Sorbitan monostearate 1 A Sorbitandistearate Phase II F Water bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal.bal. L-Arginine 0.35 L-Glutamic acid 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 E Xylitol 1 1 11 1 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) +(B) + (C)) 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.8 1 0.4 1 0.4 1 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.67 0.60.5 0.63 0.75 — — 0.64 — 0.8 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) — — — — — 0.2 0.2 0.20.2 0.2 X-ray structure analysis α-type α-type α-type α-type α-typeγ-type α-type α-type α-type α-type Remaining water content (%) 59.1 58.757.1 57 55.1 10.8 32.6 52.6 20.8 16.3 Film formability B B B B B C B B BC Permeation sensation 7 6 8 7 7 3 6 7 5 1 Lasting of moist skin 6 4 5 44 3 5 4 3 2 *N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Examples 18 to 53 and Comparative Examples 22 to 33

In a manner similar to that employed in Examples 1 to 10, O/W emulsioncompositions having formulations shown in Tables 5 to 9 were produced.The thus-produced compositions were subjected to X-ray structuralanalysis and evaluated in terms of remaining water content. The skinpermeability and lasting of moist skin attained by each composition wereassessed. The results are also shown in Tables 5 to 9.

TABLE 5 Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 18 19 20 21 22 Phase D1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.2 0.2 I isostearyloxy-2-propanol DStearoylglutamic acid 0.5 D Sorium methyl stearoyl taurate 0.5 DPolyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan 2 monostearate (HLB 14.9) Hydrogenatedlecithin 1 C Pseudo-ceramide* 2 2.5 3 1 1 Stearic acid B Cetanol 1 1 11.5 1 B Cholesterol A Glyceryl monostearate A Glyceryl monobehenate 1.5A Monostearyl glyceryl ether 2.5 3 A Monocetyl glyceryl ether 2 ASorbitan monostearate 1 Phase F Water bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. IIL-Arginine 0.35 L-Glutamic acid 0.12 0.12 E Trehalose 5 5 5 5 5 Total100 100 100 100 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.8(A)/((A) + (B)) 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.8 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 1.0 1.0 1.01.0 1.0 X-ray structure analysis α-type α-type α-type α-type α-typeRemaining water content (%) 67.53 67.58 66.25 62.97 60.50 Permeationsensation 9 9 9 8 8 Lasting of moist skin 10 9 9 8 6 Comp. Ex.Ingredients (wt. %) 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Phase D1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 I isostearyloxy-2-propanol DStearoylglutamic acid 0.5 D Sorium methyl stearoyl 0.5 0.3 taurate DPolyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan 2 2.3 monostearate (HLB 14.9) Hydrogenatedlecithin 1 1.5 C Pseudo-ceramide* 2 2.5 3 1 1 3 Stearic acid 3 B Cetanol1 1 1 1.5 1 2.5 2 1.8 2 B Cholesterol 2.5 1 A Glyceryl monostearate 3.2A Glyceryl monobehenate 1.5 A Monostearyl glyceryl ether 2.5 3 4 AMonocetyl glyceryl ether 2 A Sorbitan monostearate 1 Phase F Water bal.bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. II L-Arginine 0.35L-Glutamic acid 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 E Trehalose 5 5 5 5 5 Total 100 100100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.6 0.50.4 0.8 0.8 — 0.7 1.0 — 1.0 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.8 — — 0.6— 0.8 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) — — — — — 1.0 1.7 1.0 2.5 1.0 X-raystructure analysis α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type γ-type α-typeα-type α-type α-type Remaining water content (%) 59.13 58.65 57.13 56.9955.10 24.32 41.35 56.04 28.50 23.04 Permeation sensation 7 6 8 7 7 3 6 24 7 Lasting of moist skin 5 5 4 4 4 8 4 1 4 1*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

TABLE 6 Comp. Ex. Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32Phase D 1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.13 0.25 0.1 0.2 2 0.25 0.2 0.4 1.20.2 I isostearyloxy-2-propanol C Pseudo-ceramide* 2.8 4 1 3 0.5 0.1 0.10.2 0.2 11 B Cetanol 0.45 1.6 0.5 1 1 0.1 1 0.4 0.4 0.5 A Glycerylmonobehenate 0.05 0.55 0.5 1 0.5 0.3 1 0.4 0.4 0.05 Phase F Water bal.bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. II L-Glutamic acid 0.0780.15 0.06 0.12 1.2 0.15 0.12 0.24 0.72 0.12 E Xylitol 0.04 0.8 1 1 31.25 1 3 3 0.04 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 ((A) +(B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.15 0.35 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.8 0.95 0.8 0.8 0.05(A)/((A) + (B)) 0.1 0.26 0.5 0.5 0.33 0.75 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.09 (E)/((A) +(B) + (C)) 0.01 0.13 0.5 0.2 1.5 2.5 0.48 3.0 3.0 0.003 X-ray structureanalysis α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-typeγ-type Remaining water content (%) 58.1 59.5 62.9 61.5 65.3 60.6 55.057.1 58.2 13.4 Film formability A A A A A A A A A C Permeation sensation7 8 9 10 8 9 8 7 7 4 Lasting of moist skin 7 9 10 10 10 8 7 7 8 1*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

TABLE 7 Comp. Ex. Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 33Phase D 1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.13 0.25 0.1 0.5 2 0.25 0.2 0.2 1.20.2 I isostearyloxy-2-propanol C Pseudo-ceramide* 2.8 4 1 3 0.5 0.1 0.10.2 0.2 11 B Cetanol 0.45 1.6 0.5 1 1 0.1 1 0.4 0.4 0.5 A Glycerylmonobehenate 0.05 0.55 0.5 1 0.5 0.3 1 0.4 0.4 0.05 Phase F Water bal.bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. II L-Glutamic acid 0.0780.15 0.06 0.12 1.2 0.15 0.12 0.12 0.72 0.12 E Trehalose 0.7 3.7 2 4 32.5 2 4 3 0.04 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 ((A) +(B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.15 0.35 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.8 0.95 0.8 0.8 0.07(A)/((A) + (B)) 0.1 0.26 0.5 0.5 0.33 0.75 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.09 (E)/((A) +(B) + (C)) 0.21 0.60 1.0 0.8 1.5 5.0 0.95 4.0 3.0 0.003 X-ray structureanalysis α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-typeγ-type Remaining water content (%) 57.4 60.2 63.3 67.2 66.9 61.7 55.562.5 61.1 14.8 Film formability A A A A A A A A A C Permeation sensation7 8 10 10 8 9 7 7 7 5 Lasting of moist skin 7 9 10 10 9 8 7 8 8 3*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

TABLE 8 Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 41 42 43 44 45 Phase I D1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.01 0.2 3 7 10 isostearyloxy-2-propanol CPseudo-ceramide* 0.05 0.1 5 7 10 B Cetanol 0.05 0.1 3 7 10 A Glycerylmonobehenate 0.05 0.3 3 7 10 Phase F Water bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. IIL-Glutamic acid 0.006 0.12 1.8 4.2 6 E Xylitol 0.01 0.1 3 5 10 Total 100100 100 100 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.67 0.8 0.55 0.67 0.67(A)/((A) + (B)) 0.5 0.75 0.5 0.5 0.5 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.07 0.2 0.270.24 0.33 X-ray structure analysis α-type α-type α-type α-type α-typeRemaining water content (%) 60.3 65.1 67.8 60.5 54.3 Film formability AA A A B Permeation sensation 7 9 9 9 7 Lasting of moist skin 9 9 10 8 6*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

TABLE 9 Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 Phase I D1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.01 0.2 1 3 3 7 3 7 isostearyloxy-2-propanolC Pseudo-ceramide* 0.05 0.1 1 5 5 7 5 10 B Cetanol 0.05 0.1 1 3 3 7 3 10A Glyceryl monobehenate 0.05 0.3 1 3 5 7 3 10 Phase F Water bal. bal.bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. II L-Glutamic acid 0.006 0.12 0.6 1.8 1.84.2 1.8 4.2 E Trehalose 0.1 0.5 3 7 10 10 15 6 Total 100 100 100 100 100100 100 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.67 0.8 0.67 0.55 0.62 0.670.55 0.67 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.5 0.75 0.5 0.5 0.63 0.5 0.5 0.5 (E)/((A) +(B) + (C)) 0.67 1.0 1.0 0.64 0.77 0.48 1.36 0.2 X-ray structure analysisα-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type Remaining watercontent (%) 65.8 67.7 69.3 68.0 67.5 61.2 57.3 55.4 Film formability A AA A A A A B Permeation sensation 7 10 10 10 8 7 6 7 Lasting of moistskin 7 9 10 9 9 8 7 5*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Examples 54 to 56

O/W emulsion compositions having formulations shown in Table 10 wereproduced through production method (2). The thus-produced emulsioncompositions were subjected to X-ray structural analysis and evaluatedin terms of remaining water content and film formability. The skinpermeability of each composition and lasting of moist skin attained byeach composition were assessed. The results are also shown in Table 10.

Emulsion compositions having the same formulations as those of Examples54 to 56 were also produced through production method (1) (Examples 30,3, and 5). The evaluation results thereof are also shown in Table 10.

Production Method (2)

Phase I ingredients (mixture containing ingredients (A) to (E)) wereheated and mixed at 80 to 95° C. Under propeller-stirring (300 rpm),phase II ingredient (aqueous phase containing ingredient (F)), which hadbeen heated to 80 to 95° C., was added to the phase I ingredients, tothereby form an emulsion. The emulsion was gradually cooled to 25° C.,to thereby yield an O/W emulsion composition.

TABLE 10 Ex. Ingredients (wt. %) 54 30 55 3 56 5 Phase I D1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2isostearyloxy-2-propanol C Pseudo-ceramide* 0.2 0.2 3 3 3 3 B Cetanol0.4 0.4 1 1 1 1 A Glyceryl monobehenate 0.4 0.4 A Monocetyl glycerylether 1 1 1 1 E Xylitol 3 1 E Trehalose 5 Phase F Water bal. bal. bal.bal. bal. bal. II L-Glutamic acid 0.24 0.24 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 EXylitol 3 1 E Trehalose 5 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 ((A) +(B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.8 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.5 0.50.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 3.0 3.0 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.0 X-raystructure analysis α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type α-type Remainingwater content (%) 59.6 57.1 71.0 70.0 74.6 72.15 Film formability A A AA A A Permeation sensation 8 7 10 8 10 7 Lasting of moist skin 9 7 10 910 9 *N-(hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Example 57 Skin Lotion

In a manner similar to that employed in Examples 1 to 10, an O/Wemulsion composition (skin lotion) having a formulation shown in Table11 was produced. X-ray structural analysis of the composition wasperformed. Film formability, and skin permeability of the composition,and lasting of moist skin attained by the composition were assessed. Theresults are also shown in Table 11.

TABLE 11 (Ingredients) (wt. %) Phase I D 1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.2isostearyloxy-2-propanol D Phytosphingosine 0.01 C Pseudo-ceramide* 0.5C CERAMIDE 2 0.1 B Cetanol 0.2 A Monostrearyl glyceryl ether 0.2Glycerin 5.0 Phase F Water bal. II Methylparaben q.s. E Xylitol 1.0 EErythritol 1.0 Hydroxyethylcellulose 0.01 Eucalyptus extract 0.1Thujopsis dolabrata extract 0.1 Altheae extract 0.1 Seaweed extract 0.1L-Glutamic acid 0.1 Total 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.40(A)/((A) + (B)) 0.50 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 1.98 X-ray structure analysisα-type Film formability A Permeation sensation 8 Lasting of moist skin 8*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Example 58 Milky Lotion

In a manner similar to that employed in Examples 1 to 10, an O/Wemulsion composition (milky lotion) having a formulation shown in Table12 was produced. X-ray structural analysis of the composition wasperformed. The film formability and skin permeability of thecomposition, and lasting of moist skin attained by the composition wereassessed. The results are also shown in Table 12.

TABLE 12 (Ingredients) (wt. %) Phase I D Sodium polyoxyethylene(4)lauryl ether 0.2 phosphate D Polyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan monostearate0.3 (HLB 14.9) C Pseudo-ceramide* 1.0 C CERAMIDE 2 0.1 B Cetanol 1.0 ASorbitan monostearate 0.2 Squalane 4.0 Dimethylpolysiloxane 5.0 Glycerin10.0 Phase F Water bal. II D Sodium methyl stearoyl taurate 0.3Methylparaben q.s. Phenoxyethanol q.s. Sodium hydroxide q.s.Carboxyvinyl polymer 0.2 Xanthan gum 0.1 E Erythritol 1.0 E Mannitol 0.51,3-Butanediol 2.0 Ginger extract 0.1 Yuzu extract 0.1 Total 100 ((A) +(B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.52 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.17 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C))0.65 X-ray structure analysis α-type Film formability A Permeationsensation 8 Lasting of moist skin 9*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Example 59 Semi-Transparent Gel

In a manner similar to that employed in Examples 1 to 10, an O/Wemulsion composition (semi-transparent gel) having a formulation shownin Table 13 was produced. X-ray structural analysis of the compositionwas performed. The film formability and skin permeability of thecomposition, and lasting of moist skin attained by the composition wereassessed. The results are also shown in Table 13.

TABLE 13 (Ingredients) (wt. %) Phase I D Stearoylglutamic acid 0.5 CPseudo-ceramide* 2.0 C CERAMIDE 2 0.1 B Cetanol 1.0 B Stearyl alcohol0.5 A Monostrearyl glyceryl ether 0.5 A Glyceryl monobehenate 2.0Glycerin 5.0 Phase F Water bal. II Methylparaben q.s. E Xylitol 0.7 EThreitol 0.3 Carboxyvinyl polymer 0.3 Eucalyptus extract 0.1 Thujopsisdolabrata extract 0.1 Altheae extract 0.1 Seaweed extract 0.1 L-Arginineq.s. Total 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.66 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.63(E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.16 X-ray structure analysis α-type Filmformability A Permeation sensation 9 Lasting of moist skin 9*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Example 60 Cream

In a manner similar to that employed in Examples 1 to 10, an O/Wemulsion composition (cream) having a formulation shown in Table 14 wasproduced. X-ray structural analysis of the composition was performed.The film formability and skin permeability of the composition, andlasting of moist skin attained by the composition were assessed. Theresults are also shown in Table 14.

TABLE 14 (Ingredients) (wt. %) Phase I D Sodium stearoylglutamate 0.5 CPseudo-ceramide* 3.5 C CERAMIDE 3 0.5 B Cetanol 1.0 B Cholesterol 0.1 AGlyceryl monobehenate 1.5 A Monostearoyl glyceryl ether 0.5 Stearic acid0.1 Dimethylpolysiloxane 5.0 Olive oil 5.0 Squalane 5.0 Dicaprylcarbonate 0.5 Petrolatum 1.0 Cholesteryl isostearate 1.0 Sorbitol 2.0Glycerin 15.0 Phase F Water bal. II D Sodium methyl stearoyl taurate 0.3Methylparaben 0.3 Phenoxyethanol 0.2 Xanthan gum 0.2 1% Tuberosapolysaccharide 2.0 E Xylitol 1.0 Total 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C))0.44 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.65 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.14 X-ray structureanalysis α-type Film formability A Permeation sensation 9 Lasting ofmoist skin 10*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Example 61 Skin Lotion

Phase I ingredients were heated and mixed at 80 to 95° C. Underpropeller-stirring (300 rpm), phase II ingredients, which had beenheated to 80 to 95° C., were added to the phase I ingredients, tothereby form an emulsion. The emulsion was gradually cooled to 25° C.,and phase III ingredients (25° C.) were added to the cooled emulsion, tothereby yield an O/W emulsion composition (skin lotion) having aformulation of Table 15. X-ray structural analysis of the compositionwas performed. The film formability and skin permeability of thecomposition, and lasting of moist skin attained by the composition wereassessed. The results are also shown in Table 15.

TABLE 15 (Ingredients) (wt. %) Phase A Monostrearyl glyceryl ether 0.25I B Cetanol 0.15 C Pseudo-ceramide* 0.6 D 1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.2isostearyloxy-2-propanol Glycerin 5.0 Phase F Water bal. II L-Glutamicacid 0.07 Methylparaben 0.2 Phase Water 5.0 III Ethanol 3.0 1,3-Butyleneglycol 3.0 E Trehalose 3.0 E Raffinose 2.0 Thujopsis dolabrata extract0.5 Eucalyptus extract 0.5 Amidinoproline 0.2 Total 100 ((A) +(B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.4 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.63 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C))5.0 X-ray structure analysis α-type Film formability A Permeationsensation 8 Lasting of moist skin 9*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Example 62 Essence Lotion

Phase I ingredients were heated and mixed at 80 to 95° C. Underpropeller-stirring (300 rpm), phase II ingredients, which had beenheated to 80 to 95° C., were added to the phase I ingredients, tothereby form an emulsion. The emulsion was gradually cooled to 25° C.,and phase III ingredients (25° C.) were added to the cooled emulsion, tothereby yield an O/W emulsion composition (essence lotion) having aformulation of Table 16. X-ray structural analysis of the compositionwas performed. The film formability and skin permeability of thecomposition, and lasting of moist skin attained by the composition wereassessed. The results are also shown in Table 16.

TABLE 16 (Ingredients) (wt. %) Phase A Monocetyl glyceryl ether 0.7 I BCetanol 0.6 C Pseudo-ceramide* 2.0 D Stearoylglutamic acid 0.2 E Lactose2.0 E Sucralose 2.0 Phase F Water bal. II L-Arginine 0.14 Methylparaben0.2 Phase Dimethylpolysiloxane 3.0 III Carboxyvinyl polymer 0.1 F Water15.0 Tuberosa polysaccharide liq. 5.0 Dipropylene glycol 5.0 Horsechestnut extract 0.2 Chamomile extract 0.2 Yuzu extract 0.2 Cloveextract 0.2 Altheae extract 0.2 Tea extract 0.2 Lemon extract 0.2Seaweed extract 0.1 Total 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.39(A)/((A) + (B)) 0.54 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 1.21 X-ray structure analysisα-type Film formability A Permeation sensation 9 Lasting of moist skin 9*N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Example 63 Milky Lotion

In a manner similar to that employed in Examples 1 to 10, an O/Wemulsion composition (milky lotion) having a formulation shown in Table17 was produced. X-ray structural analysis of the composition wasperformed. The film formability and skin permeability of thecomposition, and lasting of moist skin attained by the composition wereassessed. The results are also shown in Table 17.

TABLE 17 (Ingredients) (wt. %) Phase A Sorbitan monostearate 0.6 I BCetanol 0.6 B Stearyl alcohol 0.4 C Pseudo-ceramide* 2.0 DPolyoxyethylene(40) hydrogenated castor oil 1.0 D Sodium methyl stearoyltaurate 0.3 D Polyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan monostearate 1.4 (HLB 14.9)Squalane 3.0 Pentaerythritol tetraoctanoate 3.0 Glyceryltri(2-ethylhexanoate) 3.0 Cetyl octanoate 1.0 Glycerin 3.0 EGalactosylfructose 2.5 E Melibiose 2.5 Phase Dimethylpolysiloxane 3.0 IICarboxyvinyl polymer 0.2 F Water bal. Phenoxyethanol 0.3 Methylparaben0.1 Potassium hydroxide q.s. Total 100 ((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C))0.44 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.38 (E)/((A) + (B) + (C)) 1.39 X-ray structureanalysis α-type Film formability A Permeation sensation 9 Lasting ofmoist skin 9 *N-(Hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide

Example 64 Cream

In a manner similar to that employed in Examples 1 to 10, an O/Wemulsion composition (cream) having a formulation shown in Table 18 wasproduced. X-ray structural analysis of the composition was performed.The film formability and skin permeability of the composition, andlasting of moist skin attained by the composition were assessed. Theresults are also shown in Table 18.

TABLE 18 (Ingredients) (wt. %) Phase A Glyceryl monobehenate 1.25 I BCetanol 0.8 B Stearyl alcohol 1.2 C Pseudo-ceramide*¹ 4.0 D1-(2-Hydroxyethylamino)-3- 0.2 isostearyloxy-2-propanol Hydrogenatedlecithin 0.05 B Cholesterol 0.75 Petrolatum 1.75 Dimethylpolysiloxane3.0 BRS661-C*² 0.5 Glycerin 15.0 Phase F Water bal. II L-Glutamic acid0.18 Methylparaben 0.2 Polyethylene glycol 2.0 E Trehalose 5.0 Total 100((A) + (B))/((A) + (B) + (C)) 0.49 (A)/((A) + (B)) 0.38 (E)/((A) + (B) +(C)) 0.69 X-ray structure analysis α-type Film formability A Permeationsensation 9 Lasting of moist skin 10*¹N-(hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide*²Bismethoxypropylamideisodocosane

1-11. (canceled) 12: An emulsion composition comprising the following ingredients (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F): (A) from 0.05 to 7 wt. % of at least one organic compound selected form the group consisting of a glycerin monofatty acid ester, a glycerin monoalkyl ether, a sorbitan monofatty acid ester, and a sorbitan difatty acid ester; (B) from 0.05 to 7 wt. % of at least one organic compound selected from the group consisting of a C14 to C22 higher alcohol and a sterol; (C) from 0.05 to 7 wt. % of at least one compound of the formula (2):

wherein R¹ represents a C4 to C30 linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, or an amino group; Z represents a methylene group, a methine group, or an oxygen atom; each of X¹, X², and X³ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acetoxy group; X⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, or a glyceryl group, or forms an oxo group together with the adjacent oxygen atom, wherein when Z is a methine group, one of X¹ and X² is a hydrogen atom, and the other is absent, and when X⁴ forms an oxo group, X³ is absent; each of R² and R³ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a hydroxymethyl group, or an acetoxymethyl group; R⁴ represents a C5 to C60 linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, or an amino group and which may have an ether bond, an ester bond, or an amide bond in a backbone thereof; and R⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group optionally having a substituent selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group and containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms in total; and the broken line represents an optional unsaturated bond; (D) from 0.01 to 7 wt. % of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a C12 to C24 fatty acid salt, a fatty acid amidesulfonate salt, a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt, a long-chain N-acylglutamate salt, and a sphingosine salt; (E) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a sugar alcohol selected from the group consisting of erythritol, threitol, xylitol, and mannitol, and a disaccharide or a trisaccharide selected from the group consisting of trehalose, raffinose, lactose, galactosylfructose, sucralose, and melibiose, wherein an amount of the sugar alcohol is form 0.01 to 5% by mass; and an amount of a disaccharide or a trisaccharide is from 0.1 to 15% by mass; and (F) water, wherein a ratio ((A)+(B))/((A)+(B)+(C)) is 0.15 or more, and wherein a weight ratio (E)/((A)+(B)+(C)) is from 0.01 to 3, when the ingredient (E) is the sugar alcohol, and from 0.2 to 5, when the ingredient (E) is the disaccharide or trisaccharide. 13: An emulsion composition comprising the following ingredients (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F): (A) from 0.05 to 7 wt. % of at least one organic compound selected form the group consisting of a glycerin monofatty acid ester, a glycerin monoalkyl ether, a sorbitan monofatty acid ester, and a sorbitan difatty acid ester; (B) from 0.05 to 7 wt. % of at least one organic compound selected from the group consisting of a C14 to C22 higher alcohol and a sterol; (C) from 0.05 to 7 wt. % of at least one compound of the following formula (2):

wherein R¹ represents a C4 to C30 linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, or an amino group; Z represents a methylene group, a methine group, or an oxygen atom; each of X¹, X², and X³ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acetoxy group; X⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, or a glyceryl group, or forms an oxo group together with the adjacent oxygen atom, wherein when Z is a methine group, one of X¹ and X² is a hydrogen atom, and the other is absent, and when X⁴ forms an oxo group, X³ is absent; each of R² and R³ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a hydroxymethyl group, or an acetoxymethyl group; R⁴ represents a C5 to C60 linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, or an amino group and which may have an ether bond, an ester bond, or an amide bond in a backbone thereof; and R⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group optionally having a substituent selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group and containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms in total; and the broken line represents an optional unsaturated bond; (D) from 0.01 to 7 wt. % of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyethylene group and an HLB of 10 or higher, an ionic surfactant, and a sphingosine salt, wherein the nonionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, an alkylpolyoxyethylene glycerol, and a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether; (E) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a sugar alcohol selected from the group consisting of erythritol, threitol, xylitol, and mannitol, and a disaccharide or a trisaccharide selected from the group consisting of trehalose, raffinose, lactose, galactosylfructose, sucralose, and melibiose, wherein an amount of the sugar alcohol is form 0.01 to 5% by mass; and an amount of a disaccharide or a trisaccharide is from 0.1 to 15% by mass; and (F) water, wherein, when the ingredient (E) is the sugar alcohol, a weight ratio of the ingredients (A), (B), (C) and (E), (E)/((A)+(B)+(C)), is from 0.125 to 3, and when the ingredient (E) is the disaccharide or trisaccharide, a weight ratio (E)/((A)+(B)+(C)) is from 0.2 to
 5. 14. The emulsion composition according to claim 13, wherein the ingredient (D) is a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil and a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester.
 15. The emulsion composition according to claim 12, wherein a fatty acid and/or alkyl moiety of the ingredient (A) is linear, and wherein the ingredient (B) is at least one selected from the group consisting of a linear C14 to C22 higher alcohol and a sterol. 16: The emulsion composition according to claim 13, wherein the ingredient (A) is a compound represented by the following formula (1): Z¹Y¹—R)_(n)  (1) wherein Z¹ represents a structure which is a glycerin residue, a sorbitan residue, a sorbitol residue, or a sucrose residue having two or more hydroxyl groups; Y¹ represents an ester bond or an ether bond; R represents a C14 to C22 hydrocarbon group; and n is a number of 1 or 2, and wherein a fatty acid and/or alkyl moiety of the ingredient (A) is linear.
 17. The emulsion composition according to claim 12, wherein the weight ratio of the ingredients (A), (B), (C) and (E), (E)/((A)+(B)+(C)), is from 0.125 to 3, when the ingredient (E) is the sugar alcohol, and from 0.6 to 5, when the ingredient (E) is the disaccharide or trisaccharide.
 18. The emulsion composition according to claim 12, which forms an α-gel structure.
 19. The emulsion composition according to claim 12, wherein the weight ratio of the ingredients (A), (B), and (C), ((A)+(B))/((A)+(B)+(C)), is from 0.15 to 0.95.
 20. The emulsion composition according to claim 12, wherein the weight ratio of the ingredients (A) and (B), (A)/((A)+(B)), is from 0.25 to 0.75.
 21. A method for producing an emulsion composition as recited in claim 12, the method comprising mixing a mixture containing ingredients (A) to (E) with an aqueous phase containing ingredient (F), to thereby forming the emulsion.
 22. A method for producing an emulsion composition as recited in claim 12, the method comprising mixing a mixture containing ingredients (A) to (D) with an aqueous phase containing ingredients (E) and (F), thereby forming the emulsion.
 23. The emulsion composition according to claim 13, which forms an α-gel structure.
 24. The emulsion composition according to claim 13, wherein a weight ratio of the ingredients (A), (B), and (C), ((A)+(B))/((A)+(B)+(C)), is from 0.15 to 0.95.
 25. The emulsion composition according to claim 13, wherein a weight ratio of the ingredients (A) and (B), (A)/((A)+(B)), is from 0.25 to 0.75.
 26. A method for producing an emulsion composition as recited in claim 13, the method comprising mixing a mixture containing ingredients (A) to (E) with an aqueous phase containing ingredient (F), thereby forming the emulsion.
 27. A method for producing an emulsion composition as recited in claim 13, the method comprising mixing a mixture containing ingredients (A) to (D) with an aqueous phase containing ingredients (E) and (F), thereby forming the emulsion.
 28. The emulsion composition according to claim 13, wherein a weight ratio of the ingredients (A), (B), (C), ((A)+(B))/((A)+(B)+(C)), is 0.15 or more.
 29. The emulsion composition according to claim 12, wherein a weight ratio of the ingredients (A), (B), (C), and (D), (D)/((A)+(B)+(C)), is form 0.04 to
 1. 30. The emulsion composition according to claim 13, wherein a weight ratio of the ingredients (A), (B), (C), and (D), (D)/((A)+(B)+(C)), is form 0.04 to
 1. 